Is a wet bilge a big deal

[Robertpel9]

My boat is stored on a boat lift on my dock. When it rains really hard even with a freshly waterproofed cover some water gets in the bilge. When this happens my pump does not get all the water out, it iwll leave an inch or two.

There is no practical way to get this out and it has been like this forever. I do not want to pull the plug as if i am out of down and my lift collapses, etc i will have a sunk boat.

Is having a little water in the bilge something to even think about or no big deal

 

[JoLin]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Mine stays in the water during the season. I have a mooring cover, but there's always an inch of water in the bilge. If I haven't used it in a couple of weeks, running the bilge pump manually will almost always disgorge a few gallons.

I don't worry about it.

(nice choice of boat, btw )

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

I do not want to pull the plug as if i am out of down and my lift collapses, etc i will have a sunk boat.

Ayuh,... Leaving the plug In, Increases the odds of the lift collapsing, sinking the boat...
I'd leave it Out, so it can drain...

 

[dingbat]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

I wouldn't worry about it. What good is a boat that you can't get wet?

My best friend keeps both of his boats on lifts. Both boats have self draining cockpits but he uses shore power as back up for the bilge pumps just in case.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

I like Bond-O's take on this topic. When my boat is out of the water I do everythnig I can to keep the bilges dry. IF I had a lift to keep my boat in (hopefully someday) I'd keep the plug out.

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

My boat sits on a covered lift and occasionally has some water in the bilge if the rain was at an extreme angle. My pump also leaves a little bit of water behind but certainly not an inch or two. That seems a little much to me.

I somewhat agree with bondo but if your boat is like mine pulling the plug is not an easy option. I would have to get in the water each time which would be a real pain. And about half the season in MN that would require me to get some waders on as well.

I would try to figure out where the water is getting in and see if you can improve that.

Does your lift have a canopy as well?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

compare the risk (probability) of a lift collapsing (none) or vandals lowering it (likely if unlocked in some areas) v. likelihood of tiny amount of water causing rot during the time you plan to have the boat (slim). Me, I'd treat it like on a trailer (which has the risk of rolling away to a lake) and pull the plug unless it take acrobatics or aquatics to install/remove.

BTW my trailer comment wasn't entirely smartass; a few weeks ago someone launched my boat (stored on trailer at boat club) without the plug in and left it there sinking. I still leave it out.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Dont over react. If you check your boat often, no need to leave the plug out. Not like a row boat where you reach down and stick it in - a boat that size is a pain to pull the plug in and out. Plus I would forget it...for sure.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

; a few weeks ago someone launched my boat (stored on trailer at boat club) without the plug in and left it there sinking. I still leave it out.

Not the kind of clientele I look for in a boat club.

 

[mike343]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Nearly forty years ago I went boating with a friend who had a boat without a real plug in it. Instead, sticking out of the transom was a round rubber tube about three inches long with the aft end flattened. The idea was that pressure from the bilge would open the tube and drain the bilge (on plane or on the trailer) while remaining closed while under water. In my years of boating I have never seen another of these. And I doubt if they still exist. But it does suggest the idea of putting a tube on the outside of the drain fitting with some kind of check valve or float that would allow drainage. Just a thought.

 

[superpop]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

They actually make a replacement garbord plug that replaces the brass fitting you have now. It has a check ball in it that lets water out but does not let water in if you forget the plug. Pretty cool idea, but I would not worry about a little water.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Leave the plug in and don't worry about it. I'd also squirt a little eco-friendly soap in the bigle to let it clean up the bilge by sloshing that water around once you get her down and moving. Do not use (yellow) Joy, even though it lathers in salt water and does a great job, because it isn't eco-friendly.​

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Do not use (yellow) Joy, even though it lathers in salt water and does a great job, because it isn't eco-friendly.​

Love the wording.

 

[likalar]

Re: Is a wet bilge a big deal

Boats are typically used to having some water in the bilge, and I don't think an auto pump is made that can get ALL the water out. When the auto pump shuts off, some of the water that's still in the discharge tubing can drain back into the bilge. Pure inboard, shaft-drive boats are likely to have some water too, as a bit of weeping at the stuffing box is a good sign (if memory serves; it's been awhile)
Larry in SF.
P.S. Just keep the bilge clean of debris that can clog the auto switch in the bilge.